November 2011 Archives

Here we go again.Was I the only one outside of Arkansas hoping the Razorbacks would beat LSU on Friday to knock the Tigers out of the unbeaten ranks in college football?It would have put a big monkey wrench into the BCS national championship picture. Instead, LSU came back from a 14-0 deficit to remain undefeated headed into the SEC championship game.The worst part is that thanks to LSU's victory, the championship will likely end up LSU-Alabama, assuming the Crimson Tide beats Auburn on Saturday.Two SEC teams in the final isn't the worst part. It's the inconsistency. How can Alabama finish second in the final BCS poll when it's going to play one less game than LSU, and any other conference champion for that matter.That's just not fair. The BCS system should have one of two things: either a rule that only conference champions can play in the championship game, or a penalty for teams that don't reach their conference final because they'll play one less game. Maybe require teams to play the same amount of games so they computer rankings can be based on equal information and stats.Sounds logical, but since when has the BCS been logical?

It was tough to watch for someone who appreciates good quarterback play, but Thursday night football was something to behold.If you didn't believe in the phenomenon that is Tim Tebow before the Broncos' 17-13 victory over the Jets, then you never will.I wasn't a believer. Then I watched No. 15 and the Denver Broncos get the ball at their own 5-yard-line down 13-10 with about five minutes left.No way he does it again, I thought.Then he ran for one first down, then another, and another.Then he actually stayed in the pocket and threw an awful looking pass that fluttered its way into a receiver's hands for another first down.That was the only completed pass Tebow needed -- don't ask for much more because he's not a normal quarterback. He ran for another first down, and then, on 3rd-and-4 from the Jets 20-yard-line, the Tebow magic brought Mile High Stadium to a frenzy.The Jets blitzed and Tebow ran around it to his left, and found a way into the end zone to improve his record to 4-1 as Denver's starter.He doesn't throw the ball like a quarterback should.In fact, it's downright ugly at times.He's still learning to read defenses.He's taken the quarterback position back 50 years.But just like Forrest Gump, "that boy is a runnin' fool."When he starts running, it's something to watch, though I'm not sure I can be converted to Tebowism. Give it a couple more weeks.

All week I've struggled with how to accurately express my feelings toward the Penn State debacle. Instead, I've waited and listened to even more sports talk radio than usual and watched even more sports shows on TV, taking in all the opinions and information to formulate an informed opinion, unlike many of the hosts and pundits on those shows.Would you believe some people on one of the Chicago sports stations (I'll give you a hint ... the station number has three zeroes in it) actually said fired Penn State coach Joe Paterno did the right thing because he "followed the chain of command." What the heck does that mean? Is this the Army? Yes, Paterno did what he was legally obligated to do. But morally, he fell way short, and he admitted as much early in the day on Wednesday when he said "With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."That's an admission of guilt. He's didn't do enough.But don't take my word for it. How about the opinion of an expert on sexual child abuse who is also a victim of it. Here's a statement from Lauren Book, a child sexual abuse survivor (http://laurenskids.org/about1.shtml) and nationally renowned expert on child sexual abuse and prevention ...

In the midst of shocking allegations and evidence of alleged child sexual abuse on its own property by its own staff member, Penn State sought to protect its brand and reputation -- rather than act to protect helpless child victims and prospective victims of these crimes. As a result, Penn State has suffered the worst kind of brand and reputation damage -- but it pales compared to the suffering and lifetime scarring of the children victimized by such criminal acts.Penn State's silence and inaction among senior athletic and academic officials had the effect of contributing to - rather than helping to stop - a criminal pattern of sexual abuse against children that shocks the nation. The cover-up and deception among officials has the effect of changing the proud brand of Penn State from the Nittany Lions to the Nittany Liars.Equally as shocking is the reaction by some misguided Penn State students and alumni who seem more worried about Coach Paterno's firing and winning football games than the sanctity of safety for every child victim. Coach Paterno's firing - an appropriate minimum penalty for his own silence and inaction - is a small price compared to the loss of innocence forced upon helpless children by a cunning predator.I was sexually abused in my own home for more than six years by a nanny. I was one of those children who needed someone to save me. Sexual abuse occurs every day in homes, schools, locker rooms - everywhere. As in this case, many predators use a position of trust or power in workplaces and otherwise safe havens to find victims in a literal feeder system for their crimes.If there is an upside to this horrible tragedy it is that the entire country is so intensely focused on it as to create a national teachable moment. From this, we can help parents, children, families, teachers, businesses, citizens and policy makers better understand this epidemic of sexual child abuse - and commit the nation to a stronger, smarter more strategic course to prevent, identify, report, respond and punish it wherever it surfaces.

As a parent who is glad he never sent his son to a youth football camp like the one Sandusky used at Penn State as a predatory feeding frenzy, or any other organization known for sexual child abuse issues, I couldn't have said it better myself. Thousands of people in Happy Valley should be ashamed of themselves.

So I was perusing the World Wide Web, mostly on John Harrell's site (indianagirlsbasketball.homestead.com), as well as going through my notes and papers trying to cross every 'T' and dot every 'I' for the Post-Tribune girls basketball preview when I stumbled across some info from Munster coach Matt Backs. I wanted to make sure we have a complete roster from the Mustangs, and it turns out Munster girls basketball has its own website -- mhsgbb.weebly.com. It's actually pretty cool with tips on improving your game and workout drills, as well as a little history of Munster girls hoops. Did you know former Merrillville girl coach Bob Maicher was Munster's head coach from 1975 to 1981 and compiled a respectable record of 76-33? I didn't either. So looking at this site made me think: Why don't more region teams set up sites like this? There's a handful of them -- East Chicago, Andrean and Whiting baseball, and Hobart football come to mind. It would make our job easier, though no one really cares about that, but it would also be great for parents and recruiters.

Steve Gorches

Steve T. Gorches has been writing for the Post-Tribune since 1999, covering everything from basketball to football to NASCAR to being a national award-winning bowling writer. The Hammond Clark graduate of 1988 became the P-T's deputy sports editor in 2008. The versatile writer has covered two Indiana girls basketball state finals, five gymnastics state finals, two volleyball state finals, six softball state finals, five Brickyard 400 NASCAR races, two Formula One United States Grand Prix races, college and pro basketball, two PGA tournaments and three PBA majors, as well as all 11 Indiana High School Bowling state finals.